Sierra Leone: ICRC deplores staff member's death

27-03-1998 News Release 98/13

Geneva (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply saddened by the death of Mr Denis Momoh, a Sierra Leonean staff member killed during continuing fighting near the town of Segbwema. According to initial reports, Mr Momoh was killed in an exchange of artillery fire between ECOMOG forces and the AFRC/RUF (Armed Forces Revolutionary Council / Revolutionary United Front) on Sunday 22 March. One of his children was also killed in the shelling.

Mr Momoh was a much-valued member of the ICRC team in Segbwema, which he joined in late 1996 to supervise relief distributions. The fate of his wife and two other children remains unknown.

The ICRC and its staff deplore this tragedy and extend their heartfelt sympathy to Mr Momoh's family. Flags at ICRC offices in Sierra Leone and at the organization's Geneva headquarters have been placed at half-mast.